Question:
Am I feeling normal for 5 days post op?

I am 5 days post op and feel terrable, help. I have been walking about 2 miles a day, cant seem to get as much of the water I am supposed to, food dont even appeall to me, the liquid diet really sucks, I have tried to eat a little of my hubbys lunch at hardees like a bite of a fry and a piece of roast beef the size of a pinky nail and believe I accually felt beter with real food, then there is my chest, when I lay down at night to go to sleep I feel as if my lungs are full, but when the doctor checked them he said they where clear. I also have a sore spot on the left side of my insision, is that where our new pouch is? And what about the protien, when do we start this....... Please I would appreciate ALL responces and ALL help I can get.    — renee J. (posted on June 18, 2001)

June 18, 2001
Hi Renee, I am 6 days post op and could NEVER walk 2 miles right now. I feel great although my incision and around it are very tender. I am on liquids for the next 3 weeks and find it difficult to get it all in but I am taking it slowly. I don't spend much time in one spot. I sit, get up , walk around, lie down, walk around etc. I wish you well, hope you start to feel better soon.
   — Mandy M.

June 18, 2001
I don't know what kind of surgery you had, but if you are walking two miles a day, you're doing a lot better than I did. I made an effort to walk often - around the house, around the yard - but I never went that kind of distance. You have just had major surgery, even if it was laproscopic, and your new set-up needs to heal. I was on Carnation Instant Breakfast with a few things added like yogurt, cottage cheese and mashed potatos. My dietitian told me that I would eventually be able to eat almost anything other than sugar and high fat so why rush things that could potentially cause complications? That made sense to me. I had the open RNY and it was a big deal to me. I don't want to do anything that could spoil the success of the surgery. It was rocky in the beginning but I am now almost 8 weeks out and I'm feeling great! I wish you the best.
   — Diane O.

June 18, 2001
I am 4-1/2 weeks post-op, and based on my experience, you sound right on schedule. The only thing is that I would urge you to resist eating food and stick to liquids! It is very important for your internal stitches to heal and that is the whole point of the liquid diet. I don't know how long you're required to be on liquids, but stick with it. The time will pass and you'll be able to eat food before long. The walking that you're doing is great! Just keep plugging away at getting in water. It takes practice to build up to the recommended daily amount, so be patient and relentless. I had the same feeling with my lungs when I would try to sleep for the first two weeks post-op and I just tried to keep doing my deep-breathing and I used my spirometer at home until it felt better. I also had the same sore spot to the left of my incision. I'm not positive, but I think it's from a combination of things. I believe that, yes, this is where the new pouch is. Also, this is where (if you had open) they used a retractor in surgery to pull back your liver and ribs, so expect it to be sore for awhile. Regarding the protein - you should be starting that right away. I don't know what your surgeon has recommended for protein for you, so check with your surgeon first, but then also you might consider doing a search on this site for "protein" because there are tons of recommendations. Hope that helps. Like I said before, stick with it! Things will start to get better and then you'll be glad that you did what you were supposed to do. Take it easy on yourself and try to remind yourself that what you are going through now is only a temporary part of the healing process. Best of luck to you!
   — Kristin L.

June 18, 2001
I had laparoscopic BPD/DS, no complications at all, felt great and had no food reactions -- but I was NOT walking two miles a day immediately post-op! I walked about 6 blocks, slowly, every day. :) And, I was quite a walker before surgery, too. Now, I walk 2 miles or so (total) at least three times a week but I'm four months post-op. As long as you aren't really 'pushing' yourself with the exercise, I say go for it. But, at this point, too much of it is not necessarily good --- It's a kind of similar mentality to being on an ultra strict diet, IMHO. You can become more dehydrated and faster if you overdo the exercise.. also, you *may* pull a muscle, etc. if you are overextending yourself. I am NOT saying that exercise is bad at all --- just overdoing it right after surgery. :):) I'm not sure about protein requirements with the rny, but there is a protein requirement (although it varies) for post-op BPD/DS pateints. I had to get 75 gms/day in the first three weeks and then 80 gms/day afterwards. I would call your surgeon/nutritionist and go over the post-op diet they recommend.... I was eating solid food right out of the hospital and 4 oz/meal but that is for a different kind of surgery. I think the reason most surgeons stress a liquid/semi solid diet for awhile after RNY is to not tax the stoma (and prevent it from getting blocked, I guess) and generally let the stomach pouch heal more. Double check with your surgeon and see what he/she recommends to eat at this point. I'm sure the office also has a protocol about protein or at least an ideal to strive for (not everyone can get the recommended daily amount right away). I wish you the best! (lap DS with gallbladder removal, January 25, 2001),
   — Teresa N.

June 18, 2001
It sounds like you're doing great for only five days post-op. I can't even imagine walking two miles a day five days after surgery! As far as the water goes, I would have a sports bottle of water with me all the time and was constantly taking a sip or two every time I thought about it. I felt like I was drinking a lot until I added it up and realized it wasn't that much. The main thing is to relax and not worry about it so much. I know the liquid only part of the diet (my surgeon had me on liquids only for 10 days) seems like such a long time. But it is necessary for your pouch to heal. As far as when you start the protein, your surgeon should be giving you instructions as to when that will be, what foods to add to your diet and when, etc. Is he not doing this?
   — Gina E.

June 18, 2001
Hi there, I'm 6 days post-op. I am not walking 2 miles a day, I can walk around the block comfortably. However, I did start back to school today. Honestly, I am starting to feeling great. I'm on a full liquid diet until June 28th, when I go back for my check up, and then I will be on a soft diet for many weeks after that. I'm no pro at this, but if I were you, I wouldn't be eating solid foods right now. It might cause your pouch to stretch and then you will have more problems that you don't need. If food (liquids) don't appeal to you right now, that's ok. Just make sure you get enough water in. I eat a 15cc cup of food(liquid), 3 times a day, and drink 3 (20oz)bottles of water... That's it. I can't wait for a soft diet. Ha Ha. As for laying in bed, I have many pillows to 'prop' me up, and I also have one under my tummy, and between my knees. I am a stomach sleeper, so I can't wait to get back to that, but maybe if you can try to lay on your side, that may relieve your chest discomfort. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.
   — Robin L. J.

June 18, 2001
Renee- I am three and half months post-op now. I remember feeling the way that you feel right now. It does get better I promise. Please try not to get discouraged. I HATED the liquid diet and water was terrible. I have lost 87 pounds and let me tell you IT IS WORTH IT. It does get better. PLEASE just remember why you did this :) Best of luck!
   — S.A. C.